I live in Skokie, Illinois (a really wonderful town) and have noticed a lot of yellow flags with blue crowns flying on cars, some of them with what I think are Hebrew words.  What is all this about? 

Yours truly,

Norma Leigh Lucid

Odd you should ask. I assume that since you’re reading this you’re probably Catholic.

The yellow flag with the crown, and you guessed it, Hebrew words are something that we Catholics should probably have on our cars, but for different reasons than our Jewish neighbors.  The people flying these flags are generally Lubavitcher Hasidim, members of a movement among ultra orthodox Jews.

The Hasidim believe joy is an important component of the encounter with God.  We believe this too!  Some of them believe that the Rabbi Menachem Schneerson, the “Rebbe,” as he is called, was the messiah.  He died a few years back and some of his followers are anxiously awaiting his resurrection and return.

My Friend, Rabbi Lefkowitz, who was a disciple and friend of the Rebbe, says that this is ridiculous. “A dying and rising Messiah!  You might as well be a Christian!” To which I would respond, “a splendid suggestion, Rabbi!”  Well, the Lubavitcher movement is quite divided about this.  The flags are being flown by those who believe that the Rebbe was the messiah and that he is still among us and will soon manifest himself by returning as the messiah.  Sounds familiar, no? 

Anyway, the words on the flag are “yehi melech meshiach” which oddly enough means,” long live Christ the King,” or as the Mexican martyrs of the 20th century cried out as they were shot, “Viva, Cristo Rey!”

Isn’t the world a curious place?!!?

Rev. Know-It-All